overnight

[oh-ver-nahyt, oh-ver-nahyt, oh-ver-nahyt]

adverb

1. for or during the night.

   to stay overnight.

2. on or during the previous evening.

   Preparations were made overnight.

3. very quickly; suddenly.

   New suburbs sprang up overnight.

adjective

1. done, made, occurring, or continuing during the night.

   an overnight stop; an overnight decision.

2. staying for one night.

   a group of overnight guests.

3. designed to be used on a trip or for a journey lasting one night or only a few nights. night.

4. intended for delivery on the next day.

   overnight letters; an overnight package.

5. valid for one night.

   The corporal got an overnight pass.

6. occurring suddenly or within a very short time.

   a comedian who became an overnight sensation.

noun

1. Informal.,  an overnight stay or trip.

   Our daughter had an overnight at a friend's house.

2. Informal.,  a permit for overnight absence, as from a college dormitory.

   She had an overnight the night of the prom.

3. the previous evening.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an overnight stay or trip.

   We'll overnight in Denver, then fly on to San Diego.

overnight

adverb

1. for the duration of the night

   we stopped overnight

2. in or as if in the course of one night; suddenly

   the situation changed overnight

adjective

1. done in, occurring in, or lasting the night

   an overnight stop

2. staying for one night

   overnight guests

3. lasting one night

   an overnight trip

   an overnight bank loan

4. for use during a single night

   overnight clothes

5. occurring in or as if in the course of one night; sudden

   an overnight victory

verb

1. to stay the night

Word History and Origins

Origin of overnight¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; over-, night

Example Sentences

Military personnel scrambled overnight to clean up the mess, towing the boats to shore until 9 a.m. the next day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Every September, a festival here known as “Carpathians on the Fork,” features a hot-tub-size pot of soup that simmers overnight; locals queue up the next day for bowls in the city square.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although she was safe, she stayed outside, with her helper, overnight.

Read more on BBC

Law enforcement raided a property in the state overnight and confiscated numerous electronic devices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"No child leaving care should face homelessness. At 18, they face a devastating care cliff where vital support vanishes and they're expected to become independent overnight."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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• walk 
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